The short version
- Russian and Ukrainian authorities have confirmed that an evacuation corridor is operational in Oleshky following a ceasefire mediated by US First Lady Melania Trump.
- Approximately 750 residents are scheduled to leave via bus convoy, while hundreds choose to stay despite severe infrastructure failures and humanitarian crises.
- Human rights ombudsmen from both nations collaborated on the logistics, which involve complex transit through Russian-occupied territory and Belarus before reaching Ukrainian soil.
An organized evacuation has commenced in Oleshky, a Ukrainian city under Russian occupation that has endured months of intense bombardment and siege conditions. The departure of civilians is made possible by a ceasefire agreement brokered by US First Lady Melania Trump, which took effect across the entire Kherson frontline region on Tuesday. This truce marks the first sustained period of calm in the area since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022, creating a narrow window for humanitarian operations that were previously impossible due to active combat.
Russian military engineers have been clearing mines from the exit route since the ceasefire began, ensuring the path is safe for civilian traffic. Ukrainian and Russian officials have jointly confirmed that the evacuation process is underway. Residents who wish to depart are granted a four-hour window to board transportation. A convoy consisting of 25 buses is scheduled to transport up to 750 people out of the city by 14:00 local time, accompanied by ambulances designated for individuals with limited mobility or medical needs.
The logistics of leaving Oleshky are complex and involve crossing multiple jurisdictions. Evacuees must first travel into Russian-controlled territory before reaching the southern Russian city of Anapa. From there, they are expected to board a government-operated aircraft bound for Gomel in Belarus. The final leg of the journey involves driving across the border into Ukraine’s Chernihiv region, re-entering Ukrainian sovereign territory after a circuitous route through occupied zones and a third country.
Despite the opportunity to leave, several hundred residents have decided to remain in the town. This decision persists despite widespread devastation and the complete absence of essential utilities, including gas, electricity, and running water. Dmytro Lubinets, Ukraine’s human rights ombudsman, stated that everyone wishing to leave will be given a safe opportunity to do so. He emphasized that those who choose to stay will also receive necessary humanitarian assistance, acknowledging the difficult choices facing the population.
Lubinets worked closely with his Russian counterpart, Yana Lantratova, to facilitate the operation. The two officials traveled to Oleshky together on Friday to oversee preparations. Lantratova posted video footage from the town indicating that residents were organized into groups based on their destination preference: either to Russian-controlled areas or back to Ukraine. Lubinets shared his own videos showing interactions with distressed locals, noting that a significant number of people are opting to stay, which he described as their personal choice.
For those remaining, Russia has announced the preparation of dozens of tonnes of aid. This supply includes food, medicine, hygiene products, and fuel for generators, intended to support the population in the absence of municipal services. The collaboration between Ukrainian and Russian human rights officials represents a rare instance of coordinated humanitarian effort amidst the broader conflict, focusing on immediate relief rather than political resolution.
Personal accounts highlight the grim realities that influence residents' decisions. One local told reporters she would not leave because evacuation protocols did not allow for her animals. Another resident, Olena, who now lives in Kyiv, reported that her grandmother and extended family are staying behind. She noted that older generations are particularly reluctant to abandon their homes, though she managed to persuade her father to leave only after the birth of a grandchild he had never met.
The conditions in Oleshky have been described as dire. Olena recounted the death of her grandmother’s sister last winter, who lost her legs after stepping on a landmine while covered in snow. She explained that locals often use garden wheelbarrows to transport wounded and deceased individuals to the hospital and morgue due to the lack of functional emergency services. These harrowing details underscore the severity of the siege and the desperation driving some to stay despite the risks.
The current ceasefire is scheduled to remain in force until the end of Sunday, November 1. This brief pause provides a critical opportunity for evacuation and aid delivery but does not signal an end to hostilities. As the deadline approaches, attention turns to whether the corridor will remain open and how the return of fighting will impact both those who leave and those who remain in one of the most devastated areas of the war.
The situation in Oleshky serves as a microcosm of the broader humanitarian crisis in Ukraine’s southern regions. While international mediators have facilitated this specific evacuation, the long-term security and well-being of residents depend on larger geopolitical developments. The coming days will test the durability of the truce and the effectiveness of the humanitarian mechanisms established by Ukrainian and Russian authorities.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- BBC World↗Residents leave devastated Russian-occupied Oleshky as evacuation corridor opens
